A survey by The Dyrt, an app for camping information, reveals that 45% of campers view trucks as the ideal vehicle for camping. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were the most commonly owned among these outdoor enthusiasts, with 56% reporting ownership, compared to 48.8% who owned trucks. Vans and minivans recorded 20.3%
In a press release, Kevin Long, CEO of The Dyrt, explains the popularity of trucks: “Pickup trucks were made for camping. They offer an ideal combination of utility, practicality, and functionality.”
Long added that pickup trucks are suitable for camping, noting their ability to navigate difficult terrains and ample storage capacity for camping essentials. Trucks are also equipped with features ranging from bed caps to pop-up campers.
Nearly 4% of the surveyed campers use their truck bed as their primary camping setup, totaling over 3.3 million individuals in the U.S. The trend towards using vehicles as part of the camping experience is underscored by the use of overlanding—an adventurous style of camping that combines off-roading with camping. In 2023, 3.4% of campers primarily engaged in this camping type.
The report shows that in 2023, 4.8% of campers tried overlanding, and were interested in exploring rooftop tenting and overlanding for the first time in 2024. The predominant age group for truck camping is young people, 18 to 24 year olds.
Income also plays a role in camping preferences. Those with household incomes above $250,000 are twice as likely to engage in overlanding or truck camping.
Charles P., a camper from Washington, describes his transition from SUVs to a truck-based camping setup: “Having used rooftop tents long before they started trending, I wanted to try something different where everything had a place, was organized, easy to use, and fast to set up and tear down. I opted for the slide-in camper on my Toyota Tacoma, and after parts sourcing and some trial and error, ‘Magellan’ was born.”
According to the survey, 60% of campers plan to purchase a new vehicle within the next five years. Campers are three times more likely to own an electric vehicle and twice as likely to own a hybrid than the average driver.
Respondents also shared their insights into using the new Toyota Tacoma, including stargazing in clear skies, truck camping in the wilderness, towing an Airstream across the U.S., and embarking on drives from Alaska to Patagonia.
The Dyrt offers resources for camping enthusiasts, showcasing user-generated reviews, photos, and tips for every type of camping location across public, private, and free sites in the U.S. This extensive database assists campers in planning and executing their outdoor adventures.